MARVAL Study Finds Diovan(R)(Valsartan) Significantly More Effective Than Amlodipine in Reducing and Normalising Microalbuminuria in Type-2 Diabetics SAN FRANCISCO, May 17 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -- New research shows that the highly selective angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) Diovan(R) (valsartan) is significantly more effective than the calcium channel blocker (CCB) amlodipine in reducing and normalising microalbuminuria, a strong predictor of kidney failure and heart disease, in patients with type-2 diabetes.(1) These benefits with Diovan were seen despite comparable reductions in blood pressure in both treatment groups.* The results of the MicroAlbuminuria Reduction with VALsartan (MARVAL) trial were presented today at the 16th Annual Scientific Session of the American Society of Hypertension (ASH) in San Francisco and provide further evidence of Diovan's protective benefits beyond blood pressure reduction. "MARVAL shows that unlike amlodipine, valsartan significantly reduces microalbuminuria through effects beyond blood pressure lowering," said Nigel M. Wheeldon, MD, investigator, MARVAL Study Group and Consultant Cardiologist, South Yorkshire Cardiothoracic Centre, Sheffield, UK. "Findings suggest valsartan offers added protection against kidney disease because it directly prevents or slows the rise of microalbuminuria." Microalbuminuria is the earliest sign of kidney disease (nephropathy) and occurs when the kidneys begin to fail and leak small amounts of protein into the urine. Left untreated, microalbuminuria may progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD): up to 40% of patients with type-2 diabetes will develop ESRD.(2) High blood pressure contributes to microalbuminuria and subsequent kidney failure and is the second most common cause of ESRD.(1) About 60 to 65% of people with diabetes have hypertension.(3) MARVAL was a multicentre, double-blind, randomised, active-controlled, parallel study of 332 type-2 diabetic patients aged 35-75 with microalbuminuria and either normal or high blood pressure. The study assessed the blood-pressure-independent effect of Diovan vs. amlodipine on urinary albumin excretion rates (UAER), a measure of microalbuminuria. Diovan showed a significant benefit over amlodipine in reducing mean UAER (-29.6% vs. +17.2% respectively; p